Audrey whistled the tune “Jingle Bells” as she took the baking sheet out of the oven. Two dozen chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles, none burnt. “Miracle achieved,” she exclaimed triumphantly.
Joey was fixing her tray of apple cobbler, trying not to roll her eyes. “Audrey, I’m happy for you but it’s not exactly rocket science. Didn’t you use the roll of dough from the freezer?”
Audrey narrowed her eyes at her. “I would have if somebody wasn’t a fan of eating raw cookie dough.”
“It had been in the fridge for two months! Of course someone would eat it,” Joey replied defensively.
“Eat it, yes. Share with your boyfriend while watching some cartoon, no. Correction, I don’t think you two were actually watching the cartoon at the time, if I recall.”
Joey blushed, faintly protesting, “The Simpsons is not just ‘some cartoon’.”
Audrey snapped back, “I wouldn’t exactly call it erotically pleasurable programming, either, but I guess our definitions differ.” She grabbed a plate from the cupboard and set it on the table, anxious for the sheet to cool enough to sneak a bite.
“Speaking of immature behavior,” Joey replied, eager to change the subject, “Where are the boys?”
“Brendan is in his room, making mix CDs as gifts. Nothing exemplifies ‘I like you but I’m cheap’ better than that.” Joey chuckled, knowing that was exactly the type of gift she imagined him giving someone. Audrey smirked as she pushed a cookie with a spatula. “I told him that and he promised he’d add ‘Material Girl’ to mine because I’m too interested in gaudy possessions.”
“Can’t say he doesn’t know you,” Joey replied helpfully, then dodged the dishtowel aimed her way.
Audrey continued, “As for Keith, it wouldn’t surprise you to hear he took one last job at that garage so he could dodge the questions.” She paused then looked up at Joey. “Do you really think his leave will be permanent?”
Joey bit her lip, being careful in this sticky situation. Personally, she would be thrilled if he left town. However, it wasn’t realistic to hope that would happen. After all, she had aided Jack and Scott to ensure he wouldn’t make such a dumb decision. “I doubt it,” she said evasively. “He would never be that nice to me.”
Audrey chuckled at the joke. “I’ll ask you that question again this time tomorrow.”
The creak of the door caught their attention.
“Speak of the devil, ” Joey muttered as she watched Keith sneak in, dropping his jacket on the hook and heading in the direction of his room. She never thought a day would come when she would welcome the dirty looks, leering and mind games. But the past few weeks mostly consisted of him ignoring her and small talk with Audrey. Joey needed a reason to dread the plan and damn him for not providing one now. Even when nothing was happening, he could irritate her.
Audrey barked out orders, “Don’t even think about avoiding Christmas dinner. You’d better be cleaned up and ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”
“I’d be surprised if you’re ready in fifteen,” he mumbled.
“Please?” she pleaded, abruptly changing tactics.
“I will be. Don’t worry,” he said over his shoulder as he entered his room and slammed the door.
* * * * *
“Are you certain he’d agree to this?” Pacey asked as he entered Jack’s bedroom, buttoning up his dress shirt. “I want to be sure because I am agreeing to quite a lot, and it could all fall apart if somebody says no.”
“I’m sorry that you’re sacrificing the convenient trip to Joey’s,” Jack kidded. “But look at it this way. The rent is cheap enough for you to afford without help and you don’t have to deal with me.”
Pacey chuckled. “As if you’re being selfless, Jack.”
“Well, truthfully, I’d rather not hear Joey sneaking in here,” he agreed. “Besides, if he says no, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“I don’t think he’ll say no,” Pacey replied seriously. “He might want to stay at his apartment, which would make me so happy as I can keep my room and get rid of you at the same time.”
Jack warned, “You couldn’t survive this place alone.”
“I wouldn’t be alone. I’d have Joey to myself. I don’t see her staying in that apartment for another semester when she has such an amazing opportunity here.”
“You wish. Audrey wouldn’t let her go so easily.”
“She’s got Lisa. I think she’d be able to cope with having her friends live across the hall from each other.”
Jack shrugged. “Maybe they’re the lesbian couple this group is sorely lacking.”
“Don’t get my hopes up, ” Pacey kidded.
“What is it with you and fantasy hookups between our female friends?” Jack tried to reprimand Pacey but had trouble keeping a straight face, between the statement and Jen’s previous testimony. “Soon, there will be no one left.”
Pacey snapped back, “Yeah, laugh all you want now. Maybe I won’t tell you how many women find two guys together just as enticing. It’s not just Jen either; it’s a weird sexual revolution.”
Jack headed out of his room but not before replying, “May his answer be no just so we have more opportunities to torture you from the next room.”
* * * * *
A few minutes later, the cookies were sitting on a decorative plate, Audrey brushing crumbs off her mouth, satisfied with her work. Brendan came out of his room, stack of CD cases cradled in his arm. “I smell something and it isn’t burning. Did Joey help you?”
“Hey! I resent that.” Audrey threw a glance his way. “I’m surprised you’re not wearing a shirt with a bull’s-eye marking Rudolph.”
“Next year,” he promised solemnly.
Joey wasn’t sure if Brendan would take Audrey’s suggestion seriously. To be safe, she said, “There will be no target practice in the house. From either of you.”
“Aw, don’t ruin my fun,” Audrey complained, then gave Brendan a strange look. “Though I can say that you’re dressed very Christmas-y. No joke.”
Joey took her eyes away from the tray to check. He was wearing a dark green sweater with a white button-up shirt underneath and black dress pants. Audrey was right, no joke indeed. Something was going on. Brendan saw Joey’s look and replied, “Is it so wrong that I wanted to look nice…” He caught himself before stating the real reason, saying lamely, “for Jen’s Grams?”
Audrey said excitedly, “I could totally understand that.”
Joey wasn’t quite so easily buying that excuse. “I can’t. You’re plotting something. What is your goal?”
Brendan guessed he should have felt a little weird informing Joey about a new woman – well, a new prospect, anyway. Joey had been trying to get him to go out and meet people. He was aware it was at least out of guilt, but she did seem to want him to be happy. For that reason, he considered telling Joey the truth.
Problem was, it would ruin the weeks of teasing he’d inflicted on Audrey. She still had no idea that Lisa could be interested in him. Okay, so on some level, it was possible Lisa really wasn’t attracted and he was setting himself up for a fall. But he couldn’t back down now. So, as a reply, he winked Audrey’s way and told Joey, “No real purpose.”
Audrey groaned, “You know that when I piece this together out, I will harm you, right?”
“Don’t care, ” Brendan replied dismissively.
With that, Audrey let out a loud sigh, then stormed off to her room to check her makeup. Joey commented, “Am I better off staying in the dark? ”
“Yeah. With any luck, it’ll end tonight.”
Joey accepted that answer, then asked, “What are you going to do with the apartment all to yourself for a few weeks?” Audrey would leave for California in a few days and she couldn’t see Brendan being able to tolerate staying in his parents’ house beyond Christmas night.
He shrugged, “Savor the peace and quiet.”
“You can always come down to Capeside,” Joey offered. “Bessie and I would find space for you.”
“I realize you live in a B&B but that offer still sounds all kinds of wrong. I may visit for a day but that’s probably it.”
Before Joey could persuade him, Audrey opened her bedroom door, overhearing the tail end of their talk. She pointed out, “So you may meet The Dawson after all.”
“The Dawson,” Brendan repeated under his breath. He felt like he already knew too much about the guy yet hadn’t even met him. “Does Pacey know about that?” Brendan gently asked Joey.
Joey was surprised by the comment. She had plans to reintroduce Pacey to Capeside life. “Do you mean Capeside or Dawson in Capeside?” At Brendan’s annoyed look, she checked off, “Capeside? No. Dawson? Hell no.”
Audrey stepped back out, looking especially pink now with the makeup to complement the striped blouse and white pants. “See, I can work my magic in a few minutes.”
Joey smiled appreciatively, then checked the microwave for the time. “Fifteen minutes. Well done.” She covered hers and Audrey’s dishes in green plastic wrap as Audrey and Brendan gathered the mix CDs and the other gifts in two bags. “All set?”
“I believe so,” Audrey checked around the room, making sure nothing was missing. She yelled out, “Keith! We’re ready!” as she grabbed her coat from the hook.
The three bundled up, preparing for the bitter cold weather outside. They were just about ready when Brendan realized Keith had yet to enter the living room. Something was wrong and he was pretty sure the ladies shouldn’t know about it. When Joey finished putting her gloves on, he dropped his set of keys in her hand. “You two load up the jeep. We’ll be there shortly.”
“In your car?” Audrey questioned. “I thought you never wanted me to set foot in there.”
“There’s more room in mine than Keith’s,” he said quickly. “I’ll have to lift that vow for today.”
* * * * *
Jen sat at the table in her kitchen, observing as Scott opened the oven to check on the baked ziti. “I thought you were convincing Pacey to cook Christmas dinner. Or is this your way of celebrating finally getting rid of that sling?”
“He’s making some fish dish,” Scott replied, scrunching his nose as he poked at the cheese bubbling on top. “Problem was, he didn’t realize until he’d bought all the ingredients that I can’t stand fish and Lisa is allergic. So it was either fill up on salad or have a backup plan.”
“I see. Well, it smells delicious.”
Scott shut the heat, then closed the oven door. “There, that’s cooked enough for now, since it’ll need to be reheat later anyway.” He settled against the counter. “Anticipation can be so deadly.”
“If you ask Joey, anticipation over grades is even worse than Christmas-related stuff.”
“I’m thankful I no longer I have to deal with that particular problem.” He took the dishtowel from the rack and began twisting it. “Jack’s been dropping hints about bewaring this night. He’s definitely up to something. I don’t know how he is about the holiday. Should I be concerned?”
Jen smirked, knowing that Scott would definitely be surprised. She tried to downplay the situation. “I don’t remember him actually having a boyfriend to celebrate Christmas with so it’ll probably be nothing major.”
“Define ‘nothing major’.”
She replied defensively, “Do you think he tells me everything?”
“We both know the answer to that one. He tells you way too much, in way too much detail.”
“You say that as if you hate it,” she kidded.
“Jen, you’re sidetracking. It’s not funny.”
Before Jen could answer, Grams came in the room with the phone in her hand. “Jennifer. Your mother’s on the phone, apologizing about Christmas again.”
Jen rolled her eyes, then turned around and took the phone from Grams. “It’s okay, Mom.” Pause. “I understand. You want to enjoy your week off by relaxing in the Hamptons.” Pause. “Really, don’t worry about it. Have fun.” She hung up the phone.
“Are you sure you’re okay about this?”
She nodded. “I think she’s dating again. More power to her.”
“I know but…”
“She was here two days ago so she’s not nearly as bad as she has been.” Jen really wasn’t all that upset. Not with her mom, anyway. Her father, yeah he pissed Jen off by heading to the Caribbean with his secretary, but she didn’t expect anything less from him.
Grams suggested, “You could always surprise her with a visit anyway.”
Scott’s eyes widened, shaking his head furiously toward Grams behind Jen’s back. Grams nodded once, fully aware she had been the one who told Jen’s mom to come to town early.
Luckily, Jen replied, “No, that’s fine. I want her to be happy.” Lower, she grumbled, “Somebody should be.”
Grams tried to console her, rubbing Jen’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t be so pessimistic, my dear. I have a feeling there will be a smile on your face by the end of this evening.” She chuckled softly. “Call it a premonition, if you will. I sense that in the air tonight.” She gave one last reassuring squeeze then retreated to the living room.
Jen watched her leave, then grumbled, “I think the doctor gave her the wrong pills again.”
“Actually, I think your grandma’s right.” Scott walked over to her, placing his hand where Grams’ had been. “There’s something about the holidays that makes one believe anything is possible.”
“Right,” she said warily, then spun around to face him. She was tired of having everyone try to cheer her up as Christmas drew closer. That and the anger over the situation itself finally boiled over. “Happy endings are reserved for certain people. They know they can screw everything up, yet still find their paths cross two years after breaking up with a chance to sail off into the sunset again. The Jen Lindleys of the world accept that everything going well will inevitably be ruined by some device to write the guy off the show.”
“You need to have a little faith,” Scott replied stubbornly, then drew her into his arms. “I know it seems terrible, especially given that this holiday has never been the easiest for you. But for tonight, you have to at least attempt to have a little trust, for Keith’s benefit. Give him a reason to return.”
“I won’t make any promises, Scott.”
* * * * *
Once Joey and Audrey were safely out of the apartment, Brendan knocked on Keith’s door then snuck in when he got no answer. Keith was sitting on his bed, already cleaned up and ready. His attention was on the pile of clothes and suitcase next to him, his back to the door.
“We’re ready to leave,” Brendan called out.
Keith stiffened upon hearing the familiar voice. “Give me five minutes.” But he had made no movement.
Exasperated, Brendan added, “Audrey and Joey are in the jeep…”
“I said give me five fucking minutes.” His voice was broken-up when he snapped back that reply.
Instead of leaving the room as that direction implied, Brendan settled against the wall, arms across his chest. “I should probably comment on this before you leave town. Don’t move back there. For the break, fine, but no longer.”
“Good to know your opinion on the matter,” dismissing Brendan immediately.
“You’ll probably make that decision anyway so stop driving everyone else nuts.”
Keith turned around, giving him a dirty look. “What makes you so certain about that?”
“If your mom stays sober, she will be different from the person you knew before the fire. Even if she’s the same, you’re sure as hell not. She forced you to build a new life here, away from everything you ever found familiar. Most certainly, she doesn’t deserve you readily returning and forgiving her.”
Keith stood up, continuing his packing with his back to Brendan, saying softly, “I didn’t say I forgave.”
Brendan shook his head, not believing that for a second. “I can’t see how you could excuse what she’s already done. She’s been rather adamant about wanting you out of her life permanently. I don’t care if she was drunk out of her mind when she wished you died in the fire. It was still said. You can’t simply forget statements like that. If she actually convinces you to stay in Georgia, then she’s even more of a self-centered bitch than I ever pictured.”
“What am I supposed to do? Stay angry with her?” Keith angrily threw the t-shirt in his hand at the suitcase. He struggled to keep steady as he continued, “I am sick and tired of being angry, Brendan. It doesn’t do any good to any one. All it does is waste time. You think there’s so much time to fix everything but it’s not true.”
Brendan sat down on the bed next to the suitcase, forcing Keith to face him. Finally, Keith stopped what he was doing. “There’s a lot of repair work to do. I just don’t think you should put everything you’ve worked for on hold. If you want to talk about wasting time, what about what’s here with Jen? You have this amazing woman who is inexplicably infatuated with you. That opportunity doesn’t come along every day. If I had someone like that, there’s no way I’d be able to walk out the door.”
“I recognize that. Jen is…” Keith shut his eyes and bit his lip, thinking to the inevitable goodbye later tonight. One he doubted he could really do if he thought it was their last meeting. He hadn’t even realized the tears that had been threatening all day broke through until he felt his cheek wet.
Brendan looked up, unable to remember ever seeing Keith break down. He said in a hushed tone, “If your mom is really staying sober, visiting her during breaks won’t be a big deal. I believe that’s the closest you can get to making this work for both ladies because I can’t see you happy back there any longer. Of course, personally, I don’t want you to leave either but that’s not as important as those two.” He rolled off the bed, as gracefully as possible given he was in a heavy coat. “We really should get to the party before Audrey eats all of the cookies.”
Keith nodded, wiping his face. They were almost out the room when Keith asked, “What makes you think my mom and I will have difficulties?”
“Seriously?” Brendan turned to Keith, a smirk on his face. “You didn’t say anything when I called her a bitch. Those are fighting words, man.”
* * * * *
Audrey sat in the passenger seat, wishing she hadn’t called shotgun before finding out which vehicle they’d be in. Joey lounged back comfortably in the backseat, almost taunting her with the legroom back there.
Joey saw the guys at the door, about to arrive when she whispered to Audrey, “It seems like everyone is hiding something.”
Audrey snuck a look. “I know what you mean. It’s difficult to keep track who is allowed to know what.”
Joey propped herself up on the back of Audrey’s seat. “Anything you care to enlighten me with?”
“Only if I get to know what you were told.”
“Well, if you insist…” Joey tapped her finger to her chin, figuring out what to say. “I hear that two people will kiss tonight.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “That’s so not funny. You’re there with Pacey, thereby that will come true two seconds after we arrive.” Joey grinned in support of that comment, then watched as Keith opened the back door. Audrey continued, “Actually, that might come true before we arrive since Jack and Scott are probably there already. What everyone wants to know is which configurations will occur due to mistletoe and which through spiked egg nog.”
